Chapter 9: Free Ticket, Top 3 Universities
The second option, and their only option in the current situation, was to use their skills.
Using skills increased skill level, and awakener level.
This method was faster than killing monsters and also much safer, especially for non-combatants like Isaac.
Though it was not easier.
Most of the time, Life Talents required enormous amounts of money to create the right environment or gather the necessary tools to practice their skills.
Peter's Talent, [Golem Master], was one such example.
Golems were incredibly difficult to create. They required time, money, and a great deal of effort.
While Golems were highly versatile and could serve countless purposes, crafting even a single one could take weeks or even months.
Because of that, most Golem Masters—whether they had a low-ranked Talent or a high-ranked one—preferred to create only a few specialized Golems rather than mass-produce an army. A few well-crafted Golems were cheaper, easier to maintain, and far stronger when built with proper materials.
Isaac didn't need to worry about such things.
His Talent was very easy to level up.
He didn't need to buy expensive materials or rare resources.
All he needed was seeds and land.
Seeds were cheap and easy to acquire, and with his Soulbind Pendant, he had plenty of space to farm.
"I've explained everything. I hope you will take my advice to heart and focus on leveling up. You can leave now," the principal said. "Isaac, stay behind. There is something I would like to talk with you about."
Isaac nodded.
Peter grinned and patted him on the back.
"Don't be too late, or you won't get anything to eat."
After Luna and Peter left, Isaac was left alone in the meeting room along with the principal and Professor Lorraine.
She had not spoken a single word since the beginning.
Unlike at home, where she had barged into his apartment wearing a nightgown, she was perfectly professional here.
The only problem was her calm, mysterious smile, which irked Isaac.
"Isaac, I would like to congratulate you once again. Awakening such a high-rank Farmer Talent is not something that I've ever heard of before.
"I told you to stay back as the Top 3 Universities have all sent their entrance letters to you."
"...?"
"You don't need to participate in entrance exams or level up. You can enter the university as you are. They will give you a party, carry you, and teach you about how to best use your Talent."
Isaac didn't know it was possible to be stunned so many times in a single day.
The Top 3 lofty academies didn't allow admission to even S-rank Talents unless they met the entrance requirements.
All of those harsh requirements were removed for him?
"You don't need to be surprised. An SSS-rank Life Talent is something everyone will kill for. Putting aside the rank and type of your Talent, you are a Farmer, Isaac.
"You need to understand that food is the most important commodity. And having you means having someone who can possibly produce an endless amount of food."
The principal waved his hand.
Three letters shot out from his sleeves and flew towards Isaac.
He noticed the name of the university printed on their cover.
[Aeternum University], [Horizon Institute], [Sanctum of Masters]
Isaac held the university admission letters.
[Aeternum University].
Among the Top 3, it was the most prestigious, the one every genius dreamt of attending. It was renowned for its resources, its professors, and most of all, its ability to nurture students into true powerhouses.
[Horizon Institute] was famous for its combat-oriented curriculum, producing warriors and battle-hardened awakeners. If Isaac were aiming to become a frontline fighter, it would be the best choice.
[Sanctum of Masters], on the other hand, specialized in unique and unconventional Talents. It was known for its tailored guidance, ensuring that even the strangest or most difficult-to-master Talents could be honed to their fullest potential.
People would die to enter any one of them.
"While there are more universities who sent their entrance letters, I would recommend you to choose from these three.
"These Universities have Class Advancement Quests for S-rank Classes and higher.
"To break through from Lv. 10 Initiate to Lv. 11 Adept, you would need to complete a Class Advancement Quest and receive a Class.
"Unlike Talents, you can get a powerful Class as long as you can find a Class Advancement Quest for a high-rank Class.
"These Universities will provide you with those Quests."
Isaac nodded. He had always known which university he would enter if he could get a chance.
Just when he thought the meeting had ended, the principal spoke again,
"Isaac, our Academy would like to make a deal with you."
"...I'm listening."
"We want you to allow us to advertise you as our alumni. It would help us increase the number of admissions next year and improve the overall quality of students."
"That's it?"
Isaac thought they would ask for something like slaying a legendary beast when he was stronger, and in return get a powerful weapon or some hidden quest.
"I don't mind the Academy using me as an advertisement. After all, everything I've learned, from martial arts to knowledge about monsters, is something I was taught here," Isaac said.
"Haha, you are being too humble. Most students don't even study properly since they believe Talent is all that matters.
"There are only a few who put in effort to improve themselves and reach new heights instead of just hoping to awaken a powerful Talent.
"Honestly, I think someone as hardworking as you deserves an SSS-rank Talent," the principal said, then continued.
"Of course, since this is called a 'deal,' I have proper compensation for you."
"That is?"
"Information," the principal smiled. "You can get money and resources from the university. What you need right now is information that will be of immediate help to you."
Isaac noticed the principal looking at Professor Lorraine.
He didn't have a good feeling about this.
"Isaac, do you know about Guardians?"
The principal took his silence as a no and explained.
"Each Academy is given a powerful Guardian by the Central Sector. The job of these Guardians is to protect students with powerful Talents until they can enter the universities."
"Are you saying that..."
"Yes, not everyone wants humanity to have powerful Talents. They would try to eliminate students like you before you get too strong. The best time to do that is now."
The principal pointed at Professor Lorraine.